After an almost 12-hour butt-numbing bus ride to Legazpi, Albay from Manila, I felt the warm sun rays touching my skin, being occasionally filtered by the bus curtain I glanced at my mobile phone to check the time and was surprised it was only 5:30 AM. Journeying Pinay is still sound asleep beside me. Envying her almost catatonic state, I tried stealing another hour or so of rest but failed to do so. The impending meet-up with this magnificent creation is dawning on me. And after just a few more stops, she finally peeked beneath the morning clouds, as if saying, ‘Here I am!’
Wow! It was surreal. Even just seeing her from my window seat, the view was absolutely jaw-dropping! I unconsciously glanced at Journeying Pinay and found out she is now awake, joyfully continuing our sharing of teleseryes the night before. But while I was looking at her, I was still stating the word wow over and over again in between our conversations.
Her peak peeked once again. The morning sun served as her halo from behind. Giving her a heavenly appearance only a first-timer like me can truly appreciate. If I had seen my own expression I am pretty sure I would laugh at myself, eyes wide and all.After a few minutes of rest in Legazpi Tourist Inn, the five of us wandered to Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave that mid-morning. It was actually my first time to do a real cave exploration. Mother Nature is indeed truly intelligent! How intricate and patient a designer she can be.
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| Cave Entrance |
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| Cave interiors |
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| Our tour guide pointed to some of the structures resembling actual things. |
A small bat colony is residing inside the cave system. It has been said that this was once underneath the sea. The corals sitting on the cave floor are evidence of this. If our kind tour guide did not specify it, we will miss it. Time has helped it successfully blend with the surroundings.
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| L-R: Heiz, Marx, Elal, Chino and Me |
After enjoying nature’s creations, it was time to head back. I am hoping Hoyop-Hoyopan cave will remain as it is, pretty well-maintained and pristine. Before proceeding to Donsol for our whale-watching adventure the following day, we stopped by at 1st Colonial Grill and had our late lunch. Of course, a dining visit here will not be complete without tasting the famous Sili (chili) ice cream.
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| Sili Ice Cream is at the bottom, colored pink. |
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I want to see that view of Mayon too! soon! ugh… hahahah!
🙂 ako rin i will visit her again para mas matitigan ng malapitan pa! 🙂 pag pumunta ka sama ako
Wow, ikaw ng pinaka-mabilis na nagblog! Hehehe! Let's go back to Bicol and explore the other provinces! 😀
🙂 hehe lol. hahati-hatiin ko pa Marx…babalik ako dito explore Legaspi city para mapuntahan yung ibang sites! Dondo mg Mayon super!
I`ve been to Hoyop-Hoyopan once. Last year lang din, haha. Nag-running shoes nga ako nun cos medyo madulas. Tas nakakabilib cos dati rin siyang nakasubmerge sa water. Like nung PPUR. Sayang, sana may river ma lang natira para mas bongga. Yung tour guide namin ni-recommend yung Calabindongan Cave. Mas enjoy daw yun though medyo risky. Pagpasok niyo pa lang, nedd niyo ng lumangoy. Sounds exciting, diba?
Ang ironic lang cos ako yung taga-Bicol pero di ko pa na-try yang sili ice cream. Hahaha.
Balik kayo dito sa Bicol. Dami pang pwedeng i-explore dito.
Hoobert the Awesome I will go back and explore specifically the area around Legaspi. Just dont know when pa…:-) Nabanggit nga ng guide yung cave na yun at yung underwater ang cave once… Fantastic! 🙂
Your post makes me miss our Bicol trip. Too many places to explore and discover but only a short span of time to maximize our visit. Certainly one of the great trips to ponder
Tama Chino! I ponder our ponderings!
Wow! That view of Mayon is also my dream. When can I go there? Regards me to your first caving experience! 🙂
🙂 I wanna do spelunking soon! waaah! Thanks Ephraim! 🙂
wow ang ganda naman jan 🙂
Cool nga yung place with the coolest people pa ^_^